Dual-Metal Synergy in Sn-Sb-CNF Membrane Anodes Boosts Electro-Filtration Oxidation of Emerging Contaminants.

Emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study demonstrates efficient electrochemical oxidation of PPCPs using a novel tin-antimony doped carbon nanofiber membrane (Sn-Sb-CNF) anode leveraging dual-metal synergy. Oxygen vacancies generated through this synergistic effect function as active sites, enhancing pollutant adsorption capacity and oxidant activation capability. The degradation mechanism proceeds primarily via dominant hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation, leading to complete contaminant mineralization. Notably, Sn/Sb dual-metal doping modulates the electronic structure, altering the d-band center from -4.777 to -2.175 eV and significantly lowering reaction energy barriers. This electronic optimization facilitates electron transfer kinetics and accelerates pollutant degradation. Owing to this synergy, the Sn-Sb-CNF anode achieved high removal efficiencies (>90%) within 30 min for multiple PPCPs: ofloxacin (95%), enrofloxacin (91%), carbamazepine (90%), acetaminophen (82%), and ibuprofen (96%). Furthermore, the membrane exhibits potent antimicrobial activity, achieving 4-log inactivation of tetracycline-resistant Escherichia coli and 5-log reduction of T7 bacteriophage within 30 min. In real wastewater containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria from a treatment plant, the system attained 62% mineralization rate. This work establishes a dual-metal synergy strategy that provides new avenues for efficient PPCP elimination in complex aqueous matrices.